Meghalaya: Civil Society Demands Separate GHADC Electoral Roll

CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: In a unified show of dissent, several civil society organizations (CSOs) from the Garo Hills staged a sit-in demonstration at the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) premises on Thursday, pressing for urgent reforms, including a separate electoral roll and the implementation of the Garo Customary Law.

The protest, spearheaded by the Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), A’chik Youth Welfare Organisation (AYWO), Federation of A’chik Freedom (FAF), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Tura Government College Students’ Union (TGCSU), and FKJGP – Tura Government College Cell, marked the beginning of a two-day agitation.

“There is an urgent need to have a distinct electoral roll specifically for the GHADC elections,” the organizations said in a joint statement, emphasizing that the existing system fails to reflect the region’s unique tribal identity and democratic aspirations.

The CSOs also demanded immediate action on the long-pending implementation of the Garo Customary Law. “The implementation of our customary law is not just a cultural issue—it is a matter of self-governance and constitutional recognition,” they stated.

The protestors further called for the formulation of well-defined service rules for GHADC employees and robust financial regulations within the Council. “There must be proper financial accountability in the functioning of GHADC to restore public trust,” the groups added.

The demonstrators have vowed to continue their agitation until the authorities respond with concrete measures.

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